Barbara Jo Archer Barb Fox Obituary (1961 - 2020)

Family will hold a private service/ It is with immense sorrow that the family of Barbara "Barb" Jo Archer Fox, 58 years old of Conway, AR, announce her passing on Sunday, October 18, 2020. She was born December 21, 1961 in Columbus, Ohio to the late Clarence and Rebecca Archer of Bentonville, AR. She was married to the love of her life, Arnold "Arnie" J. Fox III, for 37 years. Her courage and strength moved her forward during a six-year battle with colon cancer. During this time, she was blessed with six grandchildren, one for every year she fought cancer. Her youngest, Ryan, was only 9 days old when she met him on October 13, 2020. Barb had a heart of gold. She never met a stranger, and every stranger became a friend. Whenever Barb was out in her community and ran into friends and acquaintances, she always asked about them, how their day was, and how their family was. Barb had a kind soul and everyone who met her, adults and children, loved her as soon as they met her. She was good-hearted to her core and everyone related to her authenticity. Growing up, Barbs family moved frequently, all throughout Ohio, to Indiana, and then Texas where she graduated from Klein High School in 1980. She met Arnie while working as an assistant store manager for a pharmaceutical company. Barb and Arnies love story began when Arnie, a pharmacist and store manager for a different company, was scoping out his competition. He set eyes on her at the check-out counter and then spent the next few days going back to the store to buy candy and gum just to have the excuse to see and speak with her. They married on April 29, 1983. Both daughters were born in Texas before Arnies company moved him to Bentonville, AR. As Barb and Arnie became grandparents, they regularly traveled to spend time with their daughters and grandchildren. Last year, they moved to Conway to be closer to their youngest daughter, Kelly, and continued traveling every three months to the Houston area, spending time with their eldest daughter, Megan, and her young family. Barb and Arnie lovingly practiced their wedding vows, "through sickness and in health" as they took care of each other, fighting progressively complex health conditions. Barb cared for Arnie throughout her six years of cancer treatments. Her love for Arnie was deep. Her only regret at dying before Arnie was not being able to continue to care for and love him. Barb enjoyed reading, listening to music with Arnie, and playing the slot machines at local casinos. She earned a degree in Library Science and enjoyed any genre of book. While she volunteered at local libraries, she infamously volunteered at the schools her daughters attended. She fervently denied it was to keep track of them. A teenager of the 70s, Barb enjoyed the music of Heart, Fleetwood Mac, Elton John, The Eagles, and ZZ Top. Barb and Arnie enjoyed attending their favorite artists concerts. And she was extremely pleased whenever she won at the slot machines. Barb and her dad, Arch, occasionally went together sitting side by side playing multiple machines. Always a grandmother, she spent any winnings on her grandchildren. Family was vital to Barb. She is deeply missed and loved by her husband, Arnie, their two daughters and sons-in-law, Megan Fox Leos and Ryan Leos of League City, TX and Kelly Fox Howell and Jason Howell of Conway, AR, and their six grandchildren, Cash, Kaden, Jase, Tinsley, Wesson, and Ryan. She loved her three sisters, Jeri Townsend and her husband Kevin Townsend of Conroe, TX, Sharon Hennigan and her husband Richard Hennigan of Houston, TX, and Pam Tolbert and her husband Don Tolbert of Bentonville, AR, along with their children, Julie and Kyle Townsend, Erin Hennigan, and Becca and Ellie Tolbert. Barbs family by marriage held a special place in her heart, Mrs. Mary Ann Fox, her mother-in-law, Denise Fox Kastor and Ted Kastor, Debi Fox, and Mark & Cindy Fox, who were her sisters and brothers-in-laws along with their children and grandchildren. Lastly, Barb loved her friends. All of you were special to her! Barb was a Christmas baby which may explain why she enjoyed helping children and families experience an awesome Christmas! For this Christmas season, her family seeks your support for her charity, Sharing and Caring by donating now through her birthdate, December 21st. This year, Barb would have celebrated her 59th birthday. She would be thrilled with your contributions to this worthy and her favorite organization!